I Remember

Posted on May 14, 2008
Filed Under Uncategorized, Trusting God, Resilience, Faith, Courage |

Yesterday I had lunch with some of my brothers in ministry and had the opportunity to share my testimony, which by all accounts, were it not for the real grace of God, is little more than a sordid tale of love, betrayal, depression, and confusion. I shared an abbreviated version of all that we have overcome as a family, or rather what we allowed the Spirit of God to overcome through us. I think the retelling of our story and hearing my own voice recount the faithfulness of God was more for my benefit than that of my friends in the listening. I was reminded of all that God has done for me, for my husband, and for my sons. I remembered what brought me into the love relationship I have with Him in the first place: heart ache . . . not unlike the kind experienced recently in the death of our Audrey Lynn. It was through the darkest moment in my own life that the brilliance of Christ burst through. I am amazed at how quickly I’d forgotten. I choose to remember.

Psalm 77

1 I cried out to God for help;
I cried out to God to hear me.

2 When I was in distress, I sought the Lord;
at night I stretched out untiring hands
and my soul refused to be comforted.

3 I remembered you, O God, and I groaned;
I mused, and my spirit grew faint.
Selah

4 You kept my eyes from closing;
I was too troubled to speak.

5 I thought about the former days,
the years of long ago;

6 I remembered my songs in the night.
My heart mused and my spirit inquired:

7 “Will the Lord reject forever?
Will he never show his favor again?

8 Has his unfailing love vanished forever?
Has his promise failed for all time?

9 Has God forgotten to be merciful?
Has he in anger withheld his compassion?”
Selah

10 Then I thought, “To this I will appeal:
the years of the right hand of the Most High.”

11 I will remember the deeds of the LORD;
yes, I will remember your miracles of long ago.

12 I will meditate on all your works
and consider all your mighty deeds.

13 Your ways, O God, are holy.
What god is so great as our God?

14 You are the God who performs miracles;
you display your power among the peoples.

15 With your mighty arm you redeemed your people,
the descendants of Jacob and Joseph.
Selah

16 The waters saw you, O God,
the waters saw you and writhed;
the very depths were convulsed.

17 The clouds poured down water,
the skies resounded with thunder;
your arrows flashed back and forth.

18 Your thunder was heard in the whirlwind,
your lightning lit up the world;
the earth trembled and quaked.

19 Your path led through the sea,
your way through the mighty waters,
though your footprints were not seen.

20 You led your people like a flock
by the hand of Moses and Aaron.

He is the same God who parted the Red Sea . . . a place that His children fearfully found themselves in front of only because their lives were being pursued by a great and powerful enemy. He is the God who even though he didn’t prevent His three sons from entering into the fiery over, protected them once there. He is the One who shut the mouths of the lions, but allowed them to get close enough to Daniel who, all things considered, must have still been scared to death. He is the God. He is good. He is in control.

There will be a testimony here. Audrey Lynn’s untimely death will surely invite a new, deeper life in Christ for all of us who loved her and grieve her death so profoundly. There will be a light that, when God says yes, illuminates our paths out of this place and into a greater understanding of His love, His faithfulness, His mercies, His salvation, His grace. I say that with confidence, because He’s done that before. He’s done it for me. He’s done it for you. He’s done it for His children throughout time and eternity.

Thank you Lord for the opportunity to remember all that you have done and will surely do again. You alone can save. You alone can heal. You alone bring purpose. You alone provide. You alone restore. You alone cause the good. And in You alone is our hope. Selah.

“I will remember the deeds of the LORD; yes, I will remember your miracles of long ago. ”

Peace and Blessings,